Bettas are a gorgeous fish, full of personality, and are one of the most widely kept fish in the hobby. Originating from Southeast Asia, Bettas can be found living in rice paddies, drainage ditches, and flood plains. Living in an environment low in oxygen allowed these beautiful creatures to adapt and become a true labyrinth fish. Also known as Anabantoids, Bettas can breathe oxygen directly from the air as well as their gills. This also allows them to stay alive for short periods of time during droughts, as long as they stay wet.
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Aquarium
We recommend a minimum tank size of 2.5 gallons, but a 5+ gallon aquarium is an ideal size. A larger aquarium allows for adequate filtration and heating, while providing plenty of swimming space.
Always ensure the flow from your filter is gentle as a Betta’s large fins can make swimming in currents difficult. Sponge filters, or filters with adjustable flow work best for them.
Bettas are native to warm tropical waters, so while they may do okay at room temperature, they thrive in temperatures between75°F-80°F. Small adjustable heaters or heaters preset to the ideal temperature help to provide the ideal environment for bettas.
25% weekly water changes are essential for removing waste and reducing the levels of nitrate in the water. While Bettas are known for tolerating less than ideal water quality, clean and well-kept water is essential for a happy, healthy fish.
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Diet
In their natural environment, Betta fish typically eat insects from the water’s surface, therefore floating foods are the perfect type of food in the home aquarium. Always offer a variety of foods for your betta throughout the week. Choose a staple pellet diet to offer the proper balance of nutrients, and supplement with blood worms, brine shrimp, and daphnia to prevent a picky fish! A Bettas stomach is roughly the same size as their eye, so you can go very light on the feeding, offering 1-2 pellets a meal up to 2 times a day. Remove any food that sinks after feeding, as you’re Bettas most likely will not eat it.
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Tank Mates
Siamese fighting fish are named for their male against male aggression. Even though it is best for male Bettas to stay separated, Bettas generally make great additions to most community aquariums as long as you follow a few guidelines. Never keep 2 male Betta’s in the same tank, avoid fish with long flowing fins that they may mistake for a betta, such as guppies, avoid keeping them with their close cousins, Gourami’s. Female Betta’s can be kept together successfully in “sororities” (groups of 4-5+ female Bettas) in 20+ gallon aquariums with lots of hiding spaces, introduced at the same time. If you want to keep a male Betta with other fish, you will need a 10+ gallon aquarium and the Betta should be the last added inhabitant. Great tank mates for bettas include Neon Tetras, Corydoras Catfish, and other non-aggressive fish that don’t have highly colourful long flowing fins.
Bettas are a wonderful fish to keep. They are a low maintenance and hardy fish, that are ideal for first time fish keeper and experienced hobbyists alike. If you have any questions about Bettas and their care, give us a call or visit us instore today!
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